Car wash mitter and related method of use

ABSTRACT

An overhead vehicle wash mitter apparatus is provided. A mitter curtain can include multiple mitters that sway above a vehicle pathway as a vehicle travels along the pathway. Each mitter can include an upper end and a lower end closer to the vehicle pathway, a sheath defining an interior tube and an exterior surface that engages a vehicle surface, and a pad in the sheath. The pad can press outward on the sheath so that the sheath attains a first thickness, which can be at least ½ inch, at least 1 inch, at least 1½ inch or more, so the sheath is impaired from entering between a wiper and a surface of the vehicle, such as a window. Accordingly, damage to the wiper of the vehicle is prevented when the mitter engages the surface and the wiper. A related method of use is provided.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to vehicle washing equipment, and moreparticularly to mitters used to clean surfaces of a vehicle passingthrough an automated vehicle wash.

There is a variety of automatic vehicle wash systems presentlyavailable. Many of these systems include automatically controlledequipment to wash, wax, polish and/or buff the various surfaces of thevehicle. Some of this equipment is in the form of a drum biased towardthe vehicle. The drum rotates to cause finishing elements on the drum towash, dry, polish or otherwise contact the vehicle's surface. Otherequipment includes long, hanging finishing elements that dangle and dragover a vehicle as it passes the equipment. Most finishing elements arein the form of long cloth elements. These elements either spin or rotatewith the drum, or hang and move over the vehicles surfaces as thevehicle passes the equipment.

An issue with hanging cloth elements is that they present issues withvehicles that have rear wipers, such as most common SUVs, station wagonsand hatchbacks. In particular, the cloth elements are typically thin andmove about a lot. They can therefore wiggle their way between a wiperand a window as the vehicle is engaged by the cloth elements. As aresult, the cloth elements become stuck between the wiper and thewindow, so that when the vehicle continues past the cloth elements, andthose cloth elements remain stationary, the elements will pull on thewiper and potentially damage it by bending or tearing the wiper off thevehicle. In turn, this typically results in the wash owner having to payfor the damage to the vehicle. Over the course of a year, the number ofdamaged rear wiper claims can mount, increasing the overall cost ofoperating the car wash, and potentially damaging the reputation of thewash.

Accordingly, there remains room for improvement with finishing elementsthat safely engage a vehicle for washing, waxing, buffing, drying and/orpolishing as they pass through an automated wash system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An overhead vehicle wash mitter apparatus is provided. A mitter curtainincludes multiple mitters that move above a vehicle pathway as a vehicletravels thereon. Each mitter can include an upper end and a lower endcloser to the vehicle pathway, a sheath defining an interior tube, anexterior surface that engages a vehicle surface, and a pad in thesheath. The pad can press outward on the sheath so that the sheathattains a first thickness, which can be at least ½ inch, at least 1inch, at least 1½ inch or more, so the sheath is impaired from enteringbetween a wiper and a surface of the vehicle, such as a window.Accordingly, damage to the wiper of the vehicle is prevented when themitter engages the surface and the wiper.

In one embodiment, the mitter is a vertically suspended swaying mitterthat sways side to side, across the vehicle path, in directions thattraverse and/or are generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis ofthe lane.

In another embodiment, the sheath exerts a force on the pad inside theinterior tube so that at least a portion of the pad is compressed andthe sheath is stretched taut over the pad. Where stretched taut, thesheath can include one or more bulges that include an enhanced thicknessthat is impaired from entering an interface or crevice between a vehiclesurface and a wiper.

In still another embodiment, the sheath includes multiple seamstransverse to a longitudinal axis of the sheath. The pad can becompressed more adjacent the seams so that the sheath has a secondthickness adjacent the seams. That second thickness can be less than thefirst thickness so that the mitter undulates in thickness extendingupward from a lower end of the sheath.

In even another embodiment, the elongated pad can extend upward from thelower end in the interior tube and terminates at a first pad end. Thefirst pad end can be disposed at least two feet away from the upper endof the sheath. The sheath can have no elongated pad inside the interiortube between the first pad end and the first end of the sheath, in apadless region.

In a further embodiment, the elongated pad includes multiple individualsegments distributed along a length of the sheath extending away fromthe lower end. Each segment can be a foam pad having a thickness ofabout 1 inch to about 3 inches. In some cases, the elongated pad can bea continuous foam pad extending along a length of the sheath away fromthe second end, and can have a thickness of about 1 inch to about 3inches.

In a further embodiment, a method is provided. The method can includeproviding a mitter curtain with mitters having a sheath defining aninterior tube, an exterior surface and a pad inside the interior tube,the sheath exerting a compressive force on the pad inside the interiortube, with the sheath having a first thickness between a first surfaceand a second surface; swaying the mitter curtain transversely across andabove the vehicle pathway such that a downward extending mitter engagesa rear window of a vehicle adjacent a wiper of the vehicle, the wiper incontact with the rear window, the mitter moving along an interfacebetween the wiper and the rear window, the first thickness being toogreat for the mitter to breach the interface and urge the wiper out ofcontact with the rear window as the mitter moves, whereby damage to thewiper of the vehicle is prevented when the mitter curtain engages therear window and the wiper as the vehicle travels along the vehiclepathway.

In still a further embodiment, the method can include moving a sheathhaving multiple seams transverse to a longitudinal axis of the sheath.The elongated pad can be compressed more adjacent the seams so thatmultiple bulges is formed along the sheath. Those bulges can engage atleast one of the rear window and the wiper.

In still a further embodiment, the method can include moving themultiple bulges along the sheath over the rear window and the wiper. Theindividual bulges can flex relative to one another to allow the overallmitter to conform to the contours of the vehicle and the rear window.

The current embodiments provide an apparatus and method for simple andefficient use of mitters in an automated vehicle wash environment. Withthe enhanced thickness of the novel mitters, the structure of the mitterimpairs damage to vehicles, and in particular, can reduce the likelihoodthat a mitter fits into a crevice or small corner area between two partsof a vehicle to cause movement, damage or undesirable effects on theparts during a washing event. Where the vehicle includes a window and awiper, the mitter can be sufficiently thick that it cannot physicallyenter the crevice between the window and wiper to eventually separatethose components. In turn, the mitter will not pull the wiper from thewindow, and otherwise damage or malign the wiper. This in turn canreduce the incidence of wiper damage in automated vehicle washes, whichcan improve profitability and reputation of the same.

These and other objects, advantages, and features of the invention willbe more fully understood and appreciated by reference to the descriptionof the current embodiment and the drawings.

Before the embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it isto be understood that the invention is not limited to the details ofoperation or to the details of construction and the arrangement of thecomponents set forth in the following description or illustrated in thedrawings. The invention may be implemented in various other embodimentsand of being practiced or being carried out in alternative ways notexpressly disclosed herein. Also, it is to be understood that thephraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of“including” and “comprising” and variations thereof is meant toencompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well asadditional items and equivalents thereof. Further, enumeration may beused in the description of various embodiments. Unless otherwiseexpressly stated, the use of enumeration should not be construed aslimiting the invention to any specific order or number of components.Nor should the use of enumeration be construed as excluding from thescope of the invention any additional steps or components that might becombined with or into the enumerated steps or components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a current embodiment of an overheadvehicle wash mitter apparatus disposed in a vehicle wash along a vehiclepathway;

FIG. 2 is a second perspective view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of individual mitters engaging a vehiclesurface and a wiper of the vehicle, but unable to enter a crevicebetween the surface and the wiper;

FIG. 4 is a close up perspective view of a mitter being impaired fromentering the crevice or interface between the wiper and the surface dueto a predetermined thickness of the mitter;

FIG. 5 is a section view of an individual mitter;

FIG. 6 is a section view of a pad being assembled relative to a sheathof an individual mitter;

FIG. 7 is a section view of the individual mitter with a continuous paddisposed therein exerting forces on a sheath of the mitter; and

FIG. 8 is a section view of the individual mitter of an alternativeembodiment with pad segments disposed therein exerting forces on asheath of the mitter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRENT EMBODIMENTS

A current embodiment of the preparation station of a vehicle wash mitterapparatus is shown in FIGS. 1-10 and generally designated 10. The mitterapparatus can include a support frame 20 to which a mitter unit 30 isjoined. Mitter unit 30 can include a mitter curtain 30C joined with amitter frame 30F. The mitter curtain 30C and mitter frame 30F can bemovable relative to the support frame 20. The mitter curtain can includemultiple individual mitters 40, with each mitter 40 optionally danglingvertically downward and able to sway to and fro with the other mitterstransversely across and above the vehicle pathway VP. Each individualmitter 40 can include a first end and/or upper end 41 and a secondand/or lower end 42 as shown in FIGS. 5-6 . The lower end can be closerto the vehicle pathway VP than the first end as shown in FIG. 2 . Eachmitter can include a sheath 43 defining an interior tube 44 and anexterior surface 45 that is configured to engage a vehicle surface. Thesheath 43 can house and enclose a pad 50 inside it. The pad 50 can pressoutward on the sheath 43 so the sheath attains a first thickness T1.This thickness T1 can be sufficiently greater than a depth or thicknessof a crevice TC (FIG. 4 ) adjacent a wiper W of a vehicle V that travelson the vehicle pathway VP during a washing operation or other operationin the vehicle wash system. The thickness of the individual mitters 40in the region of the mitters that contact and otherwise engage the wiperW and vehicle surface RW, which optionally can be a rear window of thevehicle, is such that each mitter and its parts can safely engage thewiper and rear window RW without breaching an interface I between thewiper W and the rear window RW or other vehicle surface. Accordingly,the mitters are impaired from entering the space between the wiper W,for example the wiper blade, and the vehicle surface, for example therear window, which the mitter engages. As a result, excessive movement,displacement and/or damage to the wiper of the vehicle relative to thewindow is prevented when the mitter curtain 30 and individual mitters 40engage the vehicle surface and the wiper as the vehicle travels alongthe vehicle pathway.

The construction of the vehicle wash mitter apparatus 10 will now bedescribed in more detail with reference to FIGS. 1-4 . As noted above,the vehicle wash mitter apparatus 10 can include a support frame 20. Thesupport frame 20 can be in the form of a set of aesthetically archedtubes that extend upwardly and over at least a portion of the pathway VPon which the vehicle V travels through the automated vehicle wash system21. The mitter apparatus 10 can be configured to wash, clean, gentlyscrub, or otherwise treat a vehicle V traveling on the vehicle path VP.The mitter apparatus 10 can be set up at various locations or portionsof the wash system 21 along vehicle path VP. As illustrated in FIG. 1 ,the mitter apparatus 10 optionally can be supported by the support frame20, stationed adjacent and/or between multiple rotating drum elements21D that are movably disposed relative to the vehicle path VP. Themitter apparatus 10 also can be aligned with conveyor tracks 21T thatcan move a vehicle along the vehicle path VP through the mitterapparatus 10 and/or the portions of the vehicle wash system 21. Furtheroptionally, other equipment 21E can administer quantities of water,liquid cleaners and/or other chemicals to the vehicle during a washingor treatment operation. The vehicle wash system 21 can be automated andcan include additional spraying apparatus, scrubbers, dryers and thelike. Of course, although described in conjunction with an automatedvehicle wash system, the mitter apparatus 10 can be used in conjunctionwith other types of wash systems depending on the application.

Returning to FIG. 1 , the support frame 20 can be positioned proximalthe pathway VP, optionally extending horizontally across at least aportion of the pathway VP so that the mitter curtain 30C is locatedoverhead, generally vertically above the pathway VP. The support frame20 can be in the form of a partial arch. Of course, if desired, it canbe in the form of a full arch. Further, although shown in the form of asemicircular arch attached to a linear post, the arch can be of othergeometric shapes, for example, it can be partially triangular,elliptical, square, octagonal, hexagonal or of other configurations. Thesupport frame 20 can be made from solid or hollow tubing of a sufficientrigidity and strength to support the mitter curtain 30C. The dimensionsof the support frame 20 can also be such that it can hold the mittercurtain 30C above a variety of different sized vehicles ranging fromcars, to light and heavy trucks or semis, depending on the particularvehicle wash application.

As further illustrated in FIG. 2 , the support frame 20 can support amotor 22. The motor 22 can be bolted welded or otherwise fixed to thesupport frame. The motor 22 can be an electric motor, a hydraulic motor,a pneumatic motor or any other type of movement mechanism. This motor 22can be further attached to a mitter frame 30F. This mitter frame 30F canbe moved along one or more axes relative to the motor and to the vehiclepathway VP. For example, the mitter frame 30F can be in the form of abox to which multiple mitters 40 in the mitter curtain 30C areconnected. These connections can be maintained via a simple clampmechanism or via a system of pins, rods and/or brackets. With theseconnections, each individual mitter can dangle generally verticallydownward from the mitter frame 30F toward the vertical path VP. Theindividual mitters in the mitter curtain 30C can overlay a substantialportion of the vehicle path VP so that when a vehicle moves under orthrough the mitter curtain and individual mitters, those mitters canengage the surfaces of the vehicle as described further below to imparta washing, buffing, waxing, treatment application or other engagementwith the vehicle surfaces.

The motor 22 can be connected to a power source that powers the motor sothat it can translate movement to the mitter frame 30F. The mitter frame30F itself can move laterally in directions L1 and L2 along an axis AIthat is transverse, for example perpendicular, to the longitudinal axisLA of the vehicle path VP. Thus, the frame and the associated mittercurtain 30C can move laterally first in direction L1 and then reversedirection to move in direction L2 along an axis A1, back and forth, orto and fro, across part or all of the vehicle path VP and generallytransversely or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis LA. This movementcan occur as the motor moves the mitter frame and/or the curtain in oneor more paths that are transverse to the longitudinal axis. In someapplications, the motor can move the mitter frame and curtain to andfro, linearly and laterally, back and forth across and/or transverse tothe axis, and in others, in an elliptical, round and/or curved path backand forth across and/or transverse to the axis. When this movementoccurs, the individual mitters 40 of the mitter curtain 30C cantranslate in a swaying motion, generally swaying to and fro across thevertical path, in first and second lateral directions. Althoughdescribed as lateral directions, these first and second directions canbe somewhat curved paths in some cases, and linear paths in others.Optionally, the mitter curtain overlaps the vehicle pathway VPsubstantially, extending across a majority of the vehicle path widthVPW. In some cases, the mitter curtain width 30CW can extend across atleast 80%, at least 90%, at least 95% and/or 100% of the vehicle pathwidth VPW so as to engage multiple surfaces of the vehicle.

Further optionally, as shown in FIG. 2 , the mitter curtain 30C caninclude multiple individual mitters 40 that extend outwardly from themitter frame 30F. These individual mitters 40 can be constructed inaccordance with a current embodiment. There may, however, be additionalsecondary mitters 30M that also extend downward from the frame 30F.These secondary mitters 30M can be constructed from a long flexiblesheets, panels or strips of cloth, fabric or other material. The clothoptionally can include microfibers, or minute small fibers or loops thatextend out from surfaces of the secondary mitters 30M. The secondarymitters 30M optionally can be of a lesser thickness than the individualmitters 40 as described below. The secondary mitters 30M also can bedisplaced laterally outside a central region CR of the vehicle path VP.The central region optionally can be that region along the vehicle paththat allows the vehicle to be engaged at its rear window, over a wiperthere. Thus, the secondary mitters 30M, which do not include the firstthickness T1 as described below, can be disposed outside that centralregion CR so that they do not directly engage the rear window and/orwiper of the vehicle that passes through the mitter apparatus 10.

The secondary mitters 30M can be constructed differently from theindividual mitters 40 as described below. In particular, the mitters 30Mcan be the form of a sheath having panels folded over one anotherwithout an elongated pad inside the mitters 30M. Thus, the thickness ofthese secondary mitters 30M comprises the thicknesses of the panels thatmake up the sheath, with no internal pad. Optionally, tertiary mitters30T also can be included at a height H1 above the tracks 21T in thevertical path EP. These tertiary mitters 30T can be of a similarconfiguration as the secondary mitters 30M, including no internal pad.The height H1 can be sufficient so that the tertiary mitters 30T willnot engage a wiper located on a rear surface, such as a rear window, ofa vehicle.

With reference to FIGS. 5-7 , the structure of the individual mitters 40of the mitter apparatus will now be described in further detail. Asmentioned above, the mitter 40 can include an elongated flexible sheath43. This sheath 43 can be formed from a sheet of flexible cloth,optionally an elongated sheet of microfiber cloth having a plurality ofmicrofibers extending therefrom. The sheet can be folded over on itselfand sewn closed along a longitudinal seam 45S that is generally parallelto the longitudinal axis LA of the mitter 40. This seam can includemultiple individual stitches of thread, filament or other elongatedmaterial. Although shown as being sewn together, the seam 45S can beformed by fusing, melting, cementing, gluing and/or bonding togetheredges of the sheet. In other cases, two elongated individual strips ofcloth material or other flexible material can be sewn together at theopposing edges to form the sheath 43. The sheath is constructed so thatit defines an interior tube 44 as shown in FIG. 6 . The lower end 42 ofthe sheath 43 can be sewn closed with a seam 48 which can form a portionof the longitudinal seam 45S. The interior tube 44 can include a firstinterior surface 44A and a second interior surface 44B that generallyface one another inside the sheet and tube.

As shown in FIG. 6 , the mitter 40 can include an elongated pad 50. Theelongated pad can be constructed from a resilient, flexible and/orcompressible material. The elongated pad is configured to be disposed inthe interior tube 44, concealed inside the sheath 43. When installed,the elongated pad 50 can press outward on the sheath and the tube,generally engaging the first interior surface 44A and second interiorsurface 44B. When the elongated pad 50 presses outward on the sheath,the sheath attains a first thickness T1 between a first surface 40A anda second surface 40B, which can be outer or exterior surfaces of thesheath on opposing sides thereof.

Optionally, the first thickness T1 can be greater than the thickness ofthe panels 43A and 43B that form the sides of the sheath when placedatop one another. Further optionally the first thickness can be at least½ inch, at least ¾ inch, at least 1 inch, at least ½ inch, at least 1¾inch, at least 2 inches, at least 2½ inches, at least 3 inches, betweenabout ½ inch and about 2 inches, or between about 1 inch and about 3inches. These first thicknesses T1 can be selected so that they are lessthan a thickness TC as shown in FIG. 4 , which can correspond to thethickness between an outer portion of the wiper blade W and/or anoverall thickness or height of a wiper blade on the wiper W. Thisthickness T1 can be sufficient so that the mitter 40 is impaired fromentering the interface I between the wiper W and the rear window RW, orother vehicle surface.

As shown in FIG. 6 , the elongated pad 50 initially can be in the formof an elongated rectangular strip of foam or other compressiblematerial. The pad 50 can have an initial thickness T1+. This initialthickness T1+ optionally can be equal to or slightly greater than thefirst thickness T1. In some cases, the pad can be in the form of acontinuous foam pad and can have a thickness of optionally about ½ inchto about 3½ inches, about 1 inch to about 3 inches, or about 1 inch toabout 2 inches. Other initial thicknesses can be selected for theelongated pad. The elongated pad can include a first pad end 51 and asecond pad end 52. The first pad end can be disposed above the secondend 52 when the pad 50 is installed in a hanging mitter 40. The firstpad end 51, when installed fully in the sheath 43 can be disposed adistance D2 away from the first end 41 of the sheath. This distance D2can be optionally at least 1 foot, at least 2 feet, at least 3 feet, atleast 4 feet, at least 5 feet or other distances depending on theoverall length of the sheath. Optionally, as shown in FIG. 6 , when thefirst pad 50 is installed in the sheath 43, the sheath has no elongatedpad inside the interior tube 44 between the first pad end 51 and thefirst end 41 of the sheath 43. In turn, this portion can form a padlessregion 47 of the mitter 40. In this padless region 47, there generallyis no pad that adds substantially to the thickness and/or rigidity ofthe sheath or mitter.

Where the sheath 43 includes a padless region 47 above the elongated pad50, the first interior surface 44A and second interior surface 44B canface one another, and in many cases can contact one another, generallyabove the first end 51 of the elongated pad 50. Of course, where thereare wrinkles in the respective first and second panels 43A and 43B, therespective interior surfaces might not touch one another, and might bespaced with a small void between one another. In the region of thesheath where the elongated pad 50 is located however, the elongated pad50 can be sandwiched between the first interior surface 44A and thesecond interior surface 44B such that the first surface 51A of theelongated pad contacts the first interior surface 44A, and the secondsurface 51B of the elongated pad contacts the second interior surface44A.

Optionally, when the elongated pad 50 is disposed in the sheath, and thefirst interior surface and second interior surface engage the respectivepad surfaces, the respective panels 43A and 43B and surfaces exert aforce on the elongated pad 50 and directly on the respective surfaces51A and 51B where the pad is located inside the interior tube. In thiscase, at least a portion of the elongated pad is compressed such thatits initial thickness T1+ decreases to a first thickness T1 or someother thickness depending on the construction. The elongated pad alsoexerts a counterforce, generally pressing outward on the sheath and thepanels, so that the sheath attains the first thickness T1 between thefirst and second surfaces 40A and 40B. The sheath and the respectivepanels also can be stretched taut or generally placed under tension overthe elongated pad 50. This tension or force is illustrated generally asN1 in FIG. 6 . The force can be parallel and/or perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis LA, or transverse to the longitudinal axis LA,depending on the initial dimensions of the sheath 43 and the elongatedpad 50.

As shown in FIG. 6 , the elongated pad 50 can include various edges thatare bent flexed and/or curved when the elongated pad is loaded into theinterior tube and the sheath. For example, the second end 52 can includeedges 52E1 and 52E2. These edges can be connected together via anotheredge 52E3. The edges 52E1 and 52E2 can be generally parallel to oneanother and perpendicular to the edge 52E3 before the pad 50 isinstalled in the sheath.

After the pad 50 is installed in the sheath and the mitter, these edgescan translate and move relative to one another. For example, as shown inFIG. 7 , when the sheath and panels 43A and 43B compress the elongatedpad 50 near the second end 52 of the elongated pad, the pad iscompressed and exerts a corresponding reactive force F1 on those panelsin the sheath. The edges 52E1 and 52E2 can curve toward one another asshown in FIG. 7 , and generally toward a reference plane RP that bisectsthe pad, sheath and mitter general. The edges 52E1, 52E2 are no longerparallel to one another in this configuration, but rather convergetoward the reference plane RP. In turn, the edges 52E1 and 52E2 arecloser to one another when the pad is installed in the sheath and/ormitter, than when the pad is outside the sheath before installation. Theother edge 52E3 also can crumple, deform and/or bend due to the forcesexerted by the sheath and reaction of the forces F1 exerted by the padagainst the panels of the sheath.

Optionally, the pad 50 can take on a curvilinear arch or arced shape 53Cand 53D above and below the reference plane RP when a seam 60 isincluded in the sheath as described below. This arch shape 53C and 53Dof the pad can form opposing convex structures of the pad and sheath onthe first surface 51A and second surface 51B of the pad. Furtheroptionally, in other constructions, the shapes 53C and 53D can be morepolygonal, square or triangular in some cases. The corresponding sheathportions and parts of the panels that extend over the compressed pad canbe stretched to form multiple bulges 70 along the length of the mitter40 as described below. Optionally, the foam pad first surface 51A caninclude a first surface central portion 51AC. The second surface 51B caninclude a second surface central portion 51BC. The lower pad end 52 canbe compressed by the sheath and the panels. When this occurs, the firstedge 52E1 and 52E2 can be closer to one another than the first surfacecentral portion 51AC and the second surface central portion 51BC. Insome cases, the edges 52E1 and 52E2 can be optionally at least ¼ inch,at least ½ inch, at least ¾ inch closer to one another than the centralportions 51AC and 51BC. Of course these distances can change dependingon the application.

As further shown in FIG. 7 , the first surface 51A of the elongated pad50 can be curved between the central portion 51AC and the edge 52E1and/or the edge 52E3. Likewise the second surface 51B of the elongatedpad 50 can be curved between the central portion 51BC and the edge 52E2and/or the edge 52E3. In these regions, the surfaces 51A and 51B cancurve or angle toward the reference plane RP as they extend toward thesecond or lower end 52.

Optionally, the elongated pad can add rigidity to the sheath 43 near thesecond end 42 of the pad and upwardly therefrom. This rigidity canfunction to prevent the mitter from folding over on itself and/orbecoming of a diminished thickness such that it can fit between theinterface I of the wiper W and the vehicle surface RW against which thewiper is disposed. Where the pad is not included in the sheath, forexample, in the padless region 47, that portion of the sheath and mittercan be more flexible. This portion of the mitter can be disposed at alocation higher on the mitter and closer to the first end, nearer to themitter frame 30F. Optionally this padless region can be disposed abovethe height H1 from the vertical path VP or at a height that is generallyabove the majority of wipers on conventional vehicles.

Returning to FIG. 5 , the sheath 43 includes the longitudinal axis LAthat extends vertically upward from a second or lower end 42 toward afirst or upper end 41 of the mitter 40. The sheath 43 optionally caninclude multiple seams 60 transverse to the longitudinal axis LA. At theseams 60, the sheath can include a second thickness T2. This secondthickness T2 can be less than the first thickness T1. In some cases, thesecond thickness T2 optionally can be less than ¾ T1, less than ⅔ T1,less than ½ T1, or less than ⅓ T1. The seam 60 itself can be formedoptionally with one or more stitches, which can be in the form ofthread, filament, fibers or other elongated components that arestitched, sewn or otherwise placed through the panels 43A, 43B of thesheath 43, optionally as well as the elongated pad 50 in these regions.In alternative constructions, the seam 60 can be formed via fusing,melting, cementing, or otherwise joining the panels to one another.

Where the seams are included in the sheath 43, the mitter 40 can includeone or more bulges 70 which can extend from both the first surface 40Aand the second surface 40B, generally in opposite directions from oneanother relative to the reference plane RP as shown for the FIG. 7 .These bulges 70 can be in the form of curvilinear and/or angular bulgesthat extend convexly outward from the reference plane RP of the mitter40. The mitter can be constructed so that the each respective bulge,when in the form of a curvilinear bulge, can include an apex. Forexample, the exterior surface of the sheath can form or include a firstbulge 71 along the first surface 40A, while the exterior surface canform a second bulge 72 along the second surface 40B. These first andsecond bulges 71, 72 can extend opposite directions, away from thecentral reference plane RP to form convex bulges away from thatreference plane.

The first bulge 71 on one side of the reference plane optionally caninclude a first apex 70A1. The second bulge 72 on the opposite side of areference plane form a second apex 70A2. The first thickness T1 of thesheath 43 can be defined between these first and second apexes of therespective first and second bulges. Generally, the thickness between therespective apexes can be the greatest thickness along the portion of themitter between adjacent seams 60. In the region of the respective firstand second bulges 71, 72, the sheath and the respective panels 43A, 43Bof fabric, cloth or other material can be stretched taut in multipledirections N1, optionally due to the interaction of the sheath with theinternal elongated pad that pushes outward on the sheath and therespective panels.

Where the seams 60 include stitches 63, the stitches can compress thesheath and/or the elongated pad. For example, the stitches 63 can extendthrough the first surface 40A, first panel 43A, through the elongatedpad 50 as well as the second panel 43B, second surface 40B of the mitter40. Due to the stitches, the elongated pad is compressed by acompression force F3 exerted by the stitching. The respective surfaces40A and 40B also are brought closer to one another. As a result, thestitches can form the seam 60, which in turn can have a second thicknessT2 that is less than the first thickness T1. Of course, in someapplications, the seam can be formed by loose stitching such that theelongated pad 50 is not compressed substantially in the seam region 50Sof the pad. In this case, the second thickness T2 might not besignificantly less than the first thickness T1 and in some cases can beequal to the thickness T1. In such a case, the seam 60 might not formany notable bulges along the exterior surfaces of the sheath and mitter.

Optionally, and the location of the seam 60, the elongated pad 50 andthe exterior surfaces 40A and 40B can form an hourglass shape 40H. Thishourglass shape can correspond to the portions of the elongated pad 50that are compressed or squeezed by the seam and optionally the stitches63 at the seam. Although shown as a single line of stitches 63,additional stitching can be included, depending on the application. Overthe length of a mitter 40, there can be multiple hourglass shapes formedat the respective seams 60. There also can be multiple individualcurvilinear bulges extending from opposite sides of the mitter when theseams are included.

Although the elongated pad 50 is described as a continuous elongatedpad, in some applications, the pad can be formed from multipleindividual pad segments. For example, FIG. 8 shows a first alternativeembodiment of a mitter 140. There, the mitter 140 includes a sheath 143with opposing panels 143A and 143B, which are stitched to one another atrespective seams 160. The elongated pad, however, is constructed in theform of multiple independent segments 155, 156, for example, which aredisposed within the interior tube 144 of the sheath 143. These segmentscan be separated from one another by the seams 160. Further, thesesegments might not be under much compression at their respective endswhen compared to the continuous elongated pad 50 of the embodimentabove.

A method of using the vehicle wash mitter apparatus 10 of the currentembodiments will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1-4 . Ingeneral, the method can include: providing a mitter curtain including aplurality of mitters, each mitter comprising a sheath defining aninterior tube, an exterior surface and a pad inside the interior tube,the sheath exerting a compressive force on the pad inside the interiortube, with the sheath having a first thickness between a first surfaceand a second surface; swaying the mitter curtain transversely across andabove the vehicle pathway such that a downward extending mitter engagesa rear window of a vehicle adjacent a wiper of the vehicle, the wiper incontact with the rear window, the mitter moving along an interfacebetween the wiper and the rear window, the first thickness being toogreat for the mitter to breach the interface and urge the wiper out ofcontact with the rear window as the mitter moves, whereby damage to thewiper of the vehicle is prevented when the mitter curtain engages therear window and the wiper as the vehicle travels along the vehiclepathway.

In the method, with reference to FIG. 1 , the mitter curtain 30Cincluding individual mitters 40 can be supported on a mitter frame 30F.The frame 30F is moved to and fro, in opposing, generally lateraldirections L1 and L2, which may be linear and/or curved, transverselyacross and above the vehicle path VP. As the vehicle V moves under themitter curtain 30C, the individual mitters 40 sway back and forthtransversely relative to the vehicle surfaces. The individual mitters,as mentioned above, dangle vertically downward from the support frame 20and the mitter frame 30F. The mitters thus can engage a hood, fenders, aroof, side surfaces, windows and a rear surface of the vehicle, whichoptionally can include a rear window RW and a wiper W. As the mittersengage the surfaces, the surfaces 40A and 40B of the mitter 40 candirectly engage and travel over those components of the vehicle.

As noted above, the mitters 40 can dangle downward and directly engage arear window RW and/or wiper W of the vehicle V as it sufficiently passesthe mitter curtain and apparatus 10 in general. As shown in FIG. 3 , themitters 40 engage the rear window RW and the wiper W of the vehicle V.If there are secondary mitters 30M and tertiary mitters 30T, thesemitters might not engage the rear window and/or wiper because they aredisposed above and/or laterally relative to the rear window RW. As shownin FIG. 4 , as the mitter 40 engages the rear window RW adjacent thewiper W, the wiper typically is in direct contact with the rear window.At this point of contact along the wiper blade, an interface I existsbetween the wiper and the rear window. The mitter of the currentembodiment, however, has a first thickness T1 that is too great for themitter to breach the interface I and urge the wiper W out of contactwith the rear window RW as the mitter 40 moves and sways back and forthacross the window or otherwise moves relative to the window.

The first thickness T1 of the mitter 40 also is great enough so that themitter does not extend into the crevice VC between the portion of thewiper W and the rear window RW. As a result, the mitter does not extendor enter between the rear window and in the wiper. Accordingly, themitters of the mitter curtain will not substantially move, pull onand/or damage the wiper W as the mitters engage the wiper and the rearwindow while the vehicle travels along the vehicle pathway.

Where the mitter 40 includes multiple bulges 70 along the length of thesheath, those bulges move over the rear window and the wiper, with theseams between the bulges moving generally parallel to the wiper W. Asthe mitter moves, the bulges 70 can flex and pivot relative to oneanother at their respective seams 60 as shown at R1 in FIG. 4 .Optionally, the rigidity of the mitter, added optionally by theelongated pad inside the sheath, renders the mitter 40 less flexible sothat it is less likely to fold or furl upon itself, or otherwise bepulled into or between the wiper W and the rear window RW.

Directional terms, such as “vertical,” “horizontal,” “top,” “bottom,”“upper,” “lower,” “inner,” “inwardly,” “outer,” and “outwardly,” areused to assist in describing the invention based on the orientation ofthe embodiments shown in the illustrations. The use of directional termsshould not be interpreted to limit the invention to any specificorientation(s).

In addition, when a component, part or layer is referred to as being“joined with,” “on,” “engaged with,” “adhered to,” “secured to,” or“coupled to,” another component, part or layer, it may be directlyjoined with, on, engaged with, adhered to, secured to, or coupled to theother component, part or layer, or any number of intervening components,parts or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referredto as being “directly joined with,” “directly on,” “directly engagedwith,” “directly adhered to,” “directly secured to,” or “directlycoupled to,” another element or layer, there may be no interveningelements or layers present. Other words used to describe therelationship between components, layers and parts should be interpretedin a like manner, such as “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent” andsimilar words. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and allcombinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

The above description is that of current embodiments of the invention.Various alterations and changes can be made without departing from thespirit and broader aspects of the invention as defined in the appendedclaims, which are to be interpreted in accordance with the principles ofpatent law including the doctrine of equivalents. This disclosure ispresented for illustrative purposes and should not be interpreted as anexhaustive description of all embodiments of the invention or to limitthe scope of the claims to the specific elements illustrated ordescribed in connection with these embodiments. For example, and withoutlimitation, any individual element(s) of the described invention may bereplaced by alternative elements that provide substantially similarfunctionality or otherwise provide adequate operation. This includes,for example, presently known alternative elements, such as those thatmight be currently known to one skilled in the art, and alternativeelements that may be developed in the future, such as those that oneskilled in the art might, upon development, recognize as an alternative.Further, the disclosed embodiments include a plurality of features thatare described in concert and that might cooperatively provide acollection of benefits. The present invention is not limited to onlythose embodiments that include all of these features or that provide allof the stated benefits, except to the extent otherwise expressly setforth in the issued claims. Any reference to claim elements in thesingular, for example, using the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” or “said,”is not to be construed as limiting the element to the singular. Anyreference to claim elements as “at least one of X, Y and Z” is meant toinclude any one of X, Y or Z individually, any combination of X, Y andZ, for example, X, Y, Z; X, Y; X, Z; Y, Z, and/or any other possiblecombination together or alone of those elements, noting that the same isopen ended and can include other elements.

What is claimed is:
 1. An overhead vehicle wash mitter apparatusconfigured for placement over a vehicle pathway, the apparatuscomprising: a support frame positioned adjacent the vehicle pathway; amitter unit comprising a mitter frame and a mitter curtain, the mitterunit joined with the support structure above the vehicle pathway so thatthe mitter curtain overlaps the vehicle pathway, the mitter curtainincluding a plurality of mitters, each mitter dangling verticallydownward from the mitter frame, each mitter comprising: a first endjoined with the mitter frame and a second end distal from the mitterframe and closer to the vehicle pathway than the first end; anelongated, flexible sheath constructed, the sheath defining an interiortube and an exterior surface having microfibers configured to engage avehicle surface; an elongated pad disposed in the interior tube andconcealed inside the sheath, the elongated pad pressing outward on thesheath so that the sheath attains a first thickness between a firstsurface and a second surface, the sheath exerting a force on theelongated pad inside the interior tube so that at least a portion of theelongated pad is compressed and the sheath is stretched taut over theelongated pad; and a motor joined with the mitter frame and configuredto sway the mitter curtain to and fro above and across the vehiclepathway, wherein the first thickness is at least one half inch so thatthe sheath is impaired from entering a space located between a wiper ofa vehicle and the vehicle surface, whereby damage to the wiper of thevehicle is prevented when the mitter curtain engages the vehicle surfaceand the wiper as the vehicle travels along the vehicle pathway.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the sheath includes a longitudinal axisthat extends vertically upward from the vehicle pathway, wherein thesheath includes a plurality of seams extending transverse to thelongitudinal axis.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the sheathincludes a second thickness adjacent the plurality of seams, wherein thesecond thickness is less than the first thickness.
 4. The apparatus ofclaim 3, wherein the exterior surface forms a first curvilinear bulgebetween a first seam and a second seam of the plurality of seams.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 4, wherein the curvilinear bulge includes an apex,wherein the first thickness is located at the apex.
 6. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the exterior surface forms a first bulge along thefirst surface, wherein the exterior surface forms a second bulge alongthe second surface, wherein the first bulge and second bulge extendoppositely away from a central reference plane.
 7. The apparatus ofclaim 6, wherein the first bulge includes a first apex, wherein thesecond bulge includes a second apex, wherein the first thickness isdefined between the first apex and the second apex.
 8. The apparatus ofclaim 1 comprising: a stitch extending through the first surface, theelongated pad and the second surface of the mitter, wherein the stitchforms a seam having a second thickness less than the first thickness,wherein the elongated pad is compressed more at the seam than distalfrom the seam.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the elongated padextends upward from the second end in the interior tube and terminatesat a first pad end, wherein the first pad end is disposed at least twofeet away from the first end of the sheath, wherein the sheath has noelongated pad inside the interior tube between the first pad end and thefirst end of the sheath, in a padless region.
 10. The apparatus of claim1, wherein the elongated pad includes a plurality of segmentsdistributed along a length of the sheath extending away from the secondend, wherein each segment is a foam pad having a thickness of about 1inch to about 3 inches.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein theelongated pad is a continuous foam pad extending along a length of thesheath away from the second end, wherein the continuous foam pad has athickness of about 1 inch to about 3 inches.
 12. An overhead vehiclewash mitter apparatus configured for placement over a vehicle pathway,the apparatus comprising: a support frame positioned adjacent thevehicle pathway; a mitter curtain configured to move above the vehiclepathway, the mitter curtain including a plurality of mitters, eachmitter dangling downward as each mitter moves, each mitter comprising: afirst end and a second end distal from the first end and closer to thevehicle pathway than the first end; a sheath defining an interior tubeand an exterior surface configured to engage a vehicle surface; a padinside the sheath, the pad pressing outward on the sheath so that thesheath attains a first thickness between a first surface and a secondsurface, the sheath exerting a force on the pad inside the interior tubeso that at least a portion of the pad is compressed and the sheath isstretched taut over the pad; wherein the first thickness is at least onehalf inch so that the sheath is impaired from entering a space locatedbetween a wiper of a vehicle and the vehicle surface which the mitterengages, whereby damage to the wiper of the vehicle is prevented whenthe mitter curtain engages the vehicle surface and the wiper as thevehicle travels along the vehicle pathway.
 13. The apparatus of claim12, wherein the pad is a foam pad having a lower pad end and an upperpad end, wherein the foam pad includes a first surface and an opposingsecond surface, the first surface having a first surface central portionand terminating at a first edge at the lower pad end, and the secondsurface having a second surface central portion and terminating at asecond edge at the lower pad end, wherein the lower pad end iscompressed by the sheath so that the first edge and the second edge arecloser to one another than the first surface central portion and thesecond surface central portion.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, whereinthe first surface is curved between the first surface central portionand the first edge, wherein the second surface is curved between thesecond surface central portion and the second edge.
 15. The apparatus ofclaim 12, wherein the sheath includes a padless region above theelongated pad, wherein the interior tube includes a first interiorsurface and a second interior surface facing one another, wherein theelongated pad is sandwiched between the first interior surface and thesecond interior surface such that the first surface of the elongated padcontacts the first interior surface and the second surface of theelongated pad contacts the second interior surface, wherein the firstinterior surface and the second interior surface engage one another inthe padless region.
 16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the sheathincludes a plurality of seams transverse to a longitudinal axis of thesheath, wherein the elongated pad is compressed more adjacent the seamsso that the sheath has a second thickness adjacent the seams, whereinthe second thickness is less than the first thickness.
 17. A method ofusing an overhead vehicle wash mitter apparatus configured for placementover a vehicle pathway, the method comprising: providing a mittercurtain including a plurality of mitters, each mitter comprising asheath defining an interior tube, an exterior surface and a pad insidethe interior tube, the sheath exerting a compressive force on the padinside the interior tube, with the sheath having a first thicknessbetween a first surface and a second surface; swaying the mitter curtaintransversely across and above the vehicle pathway such that a downwardextending mitter engages a rear window of a vehicle adjacent a wiper ofthe vehicle, the wiper in contact with the rear window, the mittermoving along an interface between the wiper and the rear window, thefirst thickness being too great for the mitter to breach the interfaceand urge the wiper out of contact with the rear window as the mittermoves, whereby damage to the wiper of the vehicle is prevented when themitter curtain engages the rear window and the wiper as the vehicletravels along the vehicle pathway.
 18. The method of claim 17, whereinthe first thickness is at least one inch, wherein the pad pressesoutward on the sheath so the sheath is stretched taut over the pad. 19.The method of claim 18, wherein the sheath includes a plurality of seamstransverse to a longitudinal axis of the sheath, wherein the elongatedpad is compressed more adjacent the seams so that a plurality of bulgesis formed along the sheath, wherein the plurality of bulges engage atleast one of the rear window and the wiper.
 20. The method of claim 17comprising: moving a plurality of bulges along the sheath over the rearwindow and the wiper, wherein the bulges flex relative to one another.